Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-06-15
PIER XXX.
THE GREAT MAN.

Completely overcome by this last remark
Hans collapsed like jelly fish out Of water,
and reflected in his worthless old heart that
Frank Muller was indeed "a devil Of man."
By this time they had reached the door Of the
little house and were dismounting, and in an
other minute Hans found himself in the pres
ence of one of the leaders Of the rebellion.
He was short, ugly man of about IS, with
big nose, small eyes, straight hair and a
stoop. The forehead, however, was good,
and the whole face betrayed kecnness and
ability far beyond the average. The great
man was seated at plain deal table, writing
something with evident difficulty upon a
dirty sheet OF paper, and smoking very
large pipe.
"Sit, heeren, Sit" he said when they en-
tered, waving the stem Of his pipe toward
deal bench. Accordingly they sat down with
out even removing their hats, and, pulling
out their pipes, proceeded to light them.
allow, in the name of God do you spell
'e1cellencyr" asked the general, presently.
u have spelled it in four different ways, and
each one looks worse than the last"
Frank Muller gave the required informa-
ton. Hans in his heart thought he spelled it
wrong, but lie did not dare to say so. Then
came another pause, only interrupted by the
slow scratching OF quill across the dirty
paper, during which Hans nearly went to
sleep; for the weather was very hot, and he
was tired with his ride.
"There" said the writer, presently, gazing
at his handwriting with an almost childish air
of satisfaction, "that is done. A curse on the
man who invented writing! Our fathers did
very well without it; why should not wel
Though, to be sure, it is useful for treaties
with the Kaffirs. don't believe you have
told me right now about thai 'excehency,'
nephew. Well, it will have to serve When
man writes such letter as that to the rep
resentative Of the English queen he needn't
mind his spelling; it will be swallowed with
the rest" and he leaned back in his chair and
laughed softly.
"Well, Memheer Coetzee, what is it, All,
know; the prisoners. Well, what did you
do?"
Hans told his story, and was rambling on
when the general cut him short.
$50 cousin, so! You talk like an OK wagon
rumble and creak and jolt, devil of
noise and turning Of wheels, but very little
progress. They will give up the twelve men
for our four, will theya Well, that IS about
fair proportion. No, it is not, though; four
Beers are better than twelve English1nen any
day-ay, better than forty!" and he laughed
again. "Well, the men shall be sent in as
you arranged; they will help to eat up their
last biscuits. Good day, cousin. Stop,
though; one word before you 60. I have
heard about you at times, cousin. I have
heard it said that you cannot be trusted.
Now, I don't know if that is SO. I don't
believe it myself. Only, listen; il it should
be so, and should find you out, by God!
I will have you cut into rimpis with
aftero1 sjambocks, and then shoot you and
send in your carcass as a present to the Eng
lish," and as he said it he leaned forward and
brought down his fist upon the deal table
with bang that produced most unpleasant
effect upon poor Hans nerves, and q cold
gleam of sudden ferocity fickered in the
small eyes, very discomforting for timid
man to behold, however innocent he knew
himself to be.
II swear"-he began to babble.
"Swear not at all, cousin; you are an elder
Of the church. There Is no need to, besides.